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13 Oct 2010

THE AMAZING STORY OF ADOLPHUS TIPS.

It's 1943, and Lily Tregenza lives on a farm in the idyllic seaside village of Slapton. Apart from her father being away, and the 'townie' evacuees at school, her life is scarcely touched by the war. Until one day, Lily and her family, along with 3000 other villagers, are told to move out of their homes - lock, stock and barrel.

Soon, the whole area is out of bounds, as the Allied forces practise their landings for D-Day, preparing to invade France. But Tips, Lily's adored cat, has other ideas - barbed wire and keep-out signs mean nothing to her, nor does the danger of guns and bombs. Frantic to find her, Lily makes friends with two young American soldiers, who promise to help her. But will she ever see her cat again? Lily decides to cross the wire into the danger zone and look for Tips herself ....

Now, many years later, as Michael is reading his Grandma Lily's diary, he learns about The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips - and wonders how one adventurous cat could still affect their lives sixty years later.

..... From the inner, front cover.

FIRST SENTENCE:I first read Grandma's letter over ten year's ago, when I was twelve.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: I've seen lots of lambs born, lots of calves, and each time it surprises me how quickly they can get up and walk on their wobbly legs. What takes us a year or more, they can do inside an hour.

I don't usually read animal stories but was determined to give this one ago after falling in love with the cat (Tips) on the front cover.

A charming, well written story with an ending that had me in tears. However a bit of a disappointment in that the story was not really about Tips at all but more the story of Lily and her war time experience growing up in a small community during the second World War which saw not only the absence of many of the menfolk but also the evacuation of an entire village as well as the introduction of evacuees from the cities and towns.

Though Slapton is not a real place, this novel is based on actual events - certain parts of the English coastline "became like a huge army camp. As the invasion forces gathered and rehearsed many coastal areas had to be cleared so that simulated landings from the sea could take place" - and as such is quite a gentle way to discuss themes of war with children.

Not quite what I expected but still a good read that I'm sure would make a good drama. I recommend this in particular to anyone who enjoyed Michelle Magorian's GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM.

16 comments:

I am tempted to buy the set of books by Michael Morpurgo from the Book People. I have heard such good things about his books from the teachers at school, yet I have never read one of them. I am pleased to hear this one isn't just about a cat, that it has more depth to it, so it would definitely appeal to me.

Bummer on the surprise story line....but I kind of figured that would happen reading the "inside cover" information. Still, all in all sounds like a good read with a little touch of the feline variety to spur it along. Thanks for sharing...and happy reading....

I haven't heard of Goodnight Mister Tom or this book, but I really like WWII books, so I was curious to see what you'd say. I think it is probably one I would like, and partly because I want to know what happens to the cat (even if the story is not centered on him). :)

However a bit of a disappointment in that the story was not really about Tips at all but more the story of Lily and her war time experience growing up in a small community during the second World War

This statement of yours reminded me of Dewey by Vicki Myron, a book that I read early this year. I also felt the same way when I read that book as HUGE chunk of the book was actually dedicated to the author and the town she lives in.

However, as a cat lover I'm pretty sure that this book will still drew me in. I love the fact that it was well written to the point that could bring you into tears. I'm hoping to get the chance to read this one as I can hardly find any other book about cat other than Dewey.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I'm going to frequent your site from this day onwards. Good day!

TRANSLATE

LITTLE KITTY THE CAT BURGLAR {CHAPTER 1 WRITTEN BY YOURS TRULY}

THE MEMBER OF A VERY SPECIAL TRIBE.

A Geordie lass, rumoured to have been born with a paperback in my hand, I spend my days reading and reviewing books here on Pen and Paper. A lover of hedgehogs as well as cats, I also enjoy writing and receiving letters and am quite the movie buff. My taste in films almost as eclectic as my tastes in novels!

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